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Homemade From the Heart

Retailers expect Americans to plunk down nearly five hundred billion dollars this holiday season. Some economists argue this holiday splurge is inefficient and full of wasteful white elephant gifts.

One study tried to put a value on the sentiment of gifts.

Economists created an auction offering college students money for their Christmas presents, asking them to split their price into material and sentimental value. On average, sentimental value accounted for about half the total.

Gifts are about the bonds between us. This weekend on the Island, there are myriad ways to knit community ties into your holidays. Buy a piece of art at the Granary Gallery’s special exhibition and help the family of a Vineyard teacher facing a cancer crisis. And artwork purchased at Sail Martha’s Vineyard’s show helps preserve sailing know how among Island kids, whatever their means.

Pick up something at the Edgartown or Oak Bluffs school holiday bazaars and the proceeds go to expanding the children’s learning opportunities.

And all year long, Islanders knit, sculpt, weave and otherwise craft extraordinary gifts donated to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard’s annual Handmade from the Heart sale open tomorrow only at the Dr. Daniel Fisher house in Edgartown.

So consider getting out this weekend in your town, and wrap some of it up. Then, come Christmas, let someone in your life open up a bit of your heart, and your home.